Blue Tractor restaurant/brewpub has rustic, comfortable atmosphere

Leisa Thompson | The Ann Arbor NewsDesiree Liwosz takes the order of customers including Elspeth Martini, right, and Suzi Linsley, left, at the Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery at 207 E. Washington St. in Ann Arbor on Wednesday night. The restaurant has photographs and parts of antique tractors decorating the wood-covered walls.

Retail report

With beer brewing in the basement, reclaimed barn wood on the walls and giant pictures of tractor parts everywhere, the space housing the new Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery in Ann Arbor is a far cry from the Buddhist center that used to be there.

The restaurant serves American comfort food: barbecue fare like baby back ribs and smoked beef brisket, as well as a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Beer-can chicken is on the menu, as is homemade macaroni and cheese and a cold meatloaf sandwich.
Some of the food comes from local food distributor Eat Local Eat Natural.

A mix of bourbons and craft-brewed beers crown the drink menu, although "retro" canned beer, like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz are sold, too.

The restaurant is owned by a group of investors that includes Greg Lobdell and Jon Carlson of 2Mission Design and Development. They're also partners in Cafe Habana and have a stake in Grizzly Peak, along with eateries in Traverse City and Royal Oak. Lobdell and Carlson bought and led the redevelopment of the building where Vinology is, in addition to the Sudworth building that now houses the Blue Tractor.

The pictures of the tractors on the walls are photos that managing partner Lobdell and others took of an old tractor at Jenny's Stand near Dexter, as well as a tractor Lobdell saw in a field in Northern Michigan. Metal lights hang from the ceiling above each table. The long concrete bar - made by Ann Arbor company Surface - has a built-in ice rail to keep drinks cold.

"We wanted it to be rustic and comfortable, but also clean and not junky," Lobdell said.

Blue Tractor seats 124 and is managed by Dan Glazer, who also manages Cafe Habana. It's the second Blue Tractor for Lobdell and company; the original is in Traverse City.

The new Bgreen sells sustainable wood flooring, recycled glass, compostable cutlery and plates, sugar-cane paper products, reusable shopping bags and biodegradable cleaners. Although it just opened the retail storefront, the company is mostly a Web-based business.
Bgreen delivers free in Ann Arbor for orders over $50.

The owners of Bgreen used to own Ethnic Creations in Ann Arbor; they still own one of the stores in Petoskey.

"It's the right thing in the right place at the right time," said owner Daniel Stephens.

Pi's Asian Cuisine opened Monday in the 3,287-square-foot site of the former Toroz Mexican Grill at Cross and Second streets, offering Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese foods, including sushi. The restaurant, which seats 85, will also offer carryout.

LaMeena, which serves Mideastern fare, opened in the Brookside Mall, on the east side of Grand River south of Challis Road. Specialties include tilapia, lamb chops, grape leaves and a signature kabob. LaMeena also offers other traditional dishes, sandwiches, sautes and a juice bar. The restaurant offers dining in, catering and delivery.

Steve Gergely continues to work for Whitley as a paid consultant. He said after more than nine years of ownership, "it's time to move on to family life," which means spending more time with their six grandchildren and preparing for another on the way.

Whitley worked as a floral artist for Dexter Flowers, 8054 Main St., the last four years; she has an associate's degree in commercial floriculture from Michigan State University.

Whitley said she has made minor changes to the interior of the business, encouraging visitors to go to the flower cooler and touch the flowers. She has also added new and unusual flowers to the inventory.

Casey Hans and Lisa Allmendinger contributed to this report on retail businesses, which appears on Fridays. To report a news item, contact business reporter Stefanie Murray at smurray@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6932. Tips also may be faxed to 734-994-6879 or mailed to Retail Report, The Ann Arbor News, P.O. Box 1147, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.